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A man charged with the brutal, premeditated murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose is expected to return to court this week for his bail application. The accused, Mduduzi Mnisi, is a known ex-convict with a violent criminal history, including prior convictions for robbery and attempted murder.
The horrifying discovery of Likhona’s half-naked and mutilated body in an open veld near her home in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, has shocked the local community and sparked national outrage. Her body was found in early May, just one day after her family reported her missing.
The man charged in this harrowing case, Mnisi, was arrested shortly after the discovery of the young girl’s body. He now faces a charge of premeditated murder, a serious offence that may result in life imprisonment if convicted.
Likhona Fose was reported missing by her family on a Tuesday in early May. The following day, residents made a grim discovery in a nearby field—her lifeless, mutilated body, partially unclothed, lying in the open veld not far from her home.
According to local authorities, the crime scene indicated signs of a violent struggle. The condition of her body suggested not only premeditation but also extreme brutality. It wasn’t long before suspicion fell on a local man with a criminal past—Mduduzi Mnisi.
Mnisi, now charged in connection with the case, was taken into custody and has remained behind bars pending further investigation.
During a brief court appearance last week, the presiding judge granted a postponement to allow the State time to complete its investigations. The delay relates to the bail application Mnisi is expected to pursue.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that the State will oppose the bail application due to the severity of the charges and the suspect’s prior criminal record.
“The accused, Mduduzi Mnisi, has previous convictions for robbery and attempted murder. The State will strongly oppose bail on the basis that he poses a danger to society and is a flight risk,” said Mjonondwane.
Investigators are currently compiling a comprehensive profile of Mnisi. This includes verifying whether he has additional pending cases or if he had previously been released on parole when the alleged murder occurred.
Community Reaction to the Man Charged
The man charged with this heinous crime has become the focal point of public anger and concern in the Roodepoort area. Community members have held vigils for Likhona and are calling for justice, expressing frustration with a justice system that they believe often fails to protect the most vulnerable.
Many are questioning how Mnisi, a man with a known history of violent crimes, was free at the time Likhona was killed. Local activists and residents have called on the Department of Correctional Services to clarify Mnisi’s parole status and whether he was under any supervision at the time of the crime.
“This is not just about one girl. This is about how many violent offenders walk freely among us,” said a local community leader at a recent vigil. “We want answers. We want protection. And most importantly, we want justice for Likhona.”
Likhona Fose’s murder has once again spotlighted the broader issue of gender-based violence and crimes against children in South Africa. Despite numerous government campaigns and promises, such crimes remain alarmingly frequent, and conviction rates often lag due to case backlogs and systemic inefficiencies.
The arrest of a man charged with such a brutal act raises questions about whether more proactive monitoring of parolees and known offenders could prevent future tragedies.
Women’s rights groups and child protection advocates have echoed calls for stricter bail conditions for violent offenders and faster implementation of justice reforms to prevent such incidents.
As the court prepares to hear Mnisi’s bail application, all eyes will be on the judicial proceedings. The outcome could set a precedent for how courts handle serious cases involving repeat offenders, especially in cases that have drawn public attention.
The NPA has made it clear that they intend to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law. If Mnisi is denied bail, he will remain in custody until his trial, which is expected to begin later this year.
The man charged with the murder of Likhona Fose now awaits his fate in court, but for her family and community, the pain of her loss will last far longer than any court proceeding. The demand for justice grows louder as South Africa once again confronts the devastating impact of violent crime against children.
Source- EWN